Steering stabilizer



0ct. 13,'1931. c. E. REEVES STEERING STABILIZER' Filed Aug. 28. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet :1

- Emmi zliar'ERcer es VII/574$ Oct. 13, 1931. c, E, REEVEQ 1,827,487

STEERING STABILIZER 2 Sheets-Sheep 2 Filed Aug. 28, 1929' lhzrgani'or I Caiver EEeey'eS Patented v onrrnnmtqin, 31mins; mwmm NEw item: 7

. sneeze i This invention relate s' to' a ysteeringstag, 1 bili'zer'fo'r motor Vehiclesiand aims primarily E r to-provide an efiectiveand eflicierit control for'ztlie shimmy? and 'other 'objectionable lateral movementsftof'whichr-the fr ont i or steering wheels of motorrvehi'cles are subject; 1

v Devices have heretoforebeen designed to control *-or checkf'such' objectionable .lateral v wheehmov ements 1 the same have proved ft) ndesirab'le orginefl'fective f' Jdnejtof;yarious and cumbersome biitgthe'y have reqiiiredfconsiderable attention in the way of lubrication andiadjustment ofthe wearing'partsjandfion due, to a large, e xt'ent,;.to the lost"rjiioti'o'n be- I tween them and the; wheelsfwhich theyi'a re designed to hold steady. Gar manufacturers havejbeen-thiis far unableto design away the 7 other snddenj jar'sto' wheel which will readilypermiflof the steeringfof the wheel and which" will leave the wheel free fines: in t which the Tshi'miny and 'fsud'den. jars occur during the motor'vehidef A The invention fiirther {aside in t e 'bodin'ient in I the wheel mount of a t'sta'bi li'ze'r or control which will directly receive and ac,- commodate anyfforces tendin gf=to" produce 7 the shimmy or lateral moyement otitheriihning wheel, so as to} immediately ounteract lr s sfis'uch r s Wi o e iet rv ntien' of any. lost play or motion duetoan intermediate connection; and also "in time embodi-' ment: of a stabilizer in thej steeringjknuckle assembly I which; will 'act to' resist any sudden ing spindle and frontiaxle 'of the 'rnot'or Vehicle 5 resulting from any 7 jar or ectionab'le.

force applied t6the'runningwheel. 1 Further, the invention willfbe f und to rethe yoke in-top planjviewl v v knuckle-part of the yo e with the-cover'p'late nectionsthereof, and have been inefiective shimmy whichoccurs in. the frontiwheels when traveling at a' high jspee d regardless for steering*beyofidfcertaing limitspr 3611- I h I y V I I 1n the mo ern automob le embodylng four mali m si f" the relative movement'ibetweenlthe"wheel carryr,1

efiejt-heaneaiigements an {combinations 0f parts hereinafter" described more in "detail,

reference ".beingf had to the accompanying" 'drawingsi;wherein a j j j Fig; 1 isa' fragmentary showing ofithem v steering knuckle assembly ofa motorvehicle 1 in i'rer'tical section with portions remaining carrying the wheel spindlei in.elevation'-," the yoke element of the assembly Fig. 2 isa cross SGCtIOIlEtl yiewon line 60 n [View of the same Fig. 3 is a. bottom, 1

of the'f'stabiliz'erchamber removed' I Fig; 4 is a cross sectional viewabont chime v 4 46f Fig. '2 further-disclosing the'construc' tion' oft "the stabilizer."

a steering knuckle assembly" in which theyoke element is carried by'thefront aXleP- j 1 -Fig. 6 is a view'similar to'Fig. l depiotin'g 'a modified embodiment of the-invention} p ,Fig. Zis ayiew similarto Fig. 3' but show ingthe modifiedconstruction of 6. v Referring more in detailto the accompany-' ing drawingsy in lFiggljIhayeillustratedfthe yokefelement as being carried by the wheel carrying' s indle, such as isfrequently used "30' wheel brakes? Thespin'dle :1 whichcarries the running wheel (not shown) is supported 7 jbyl theiyokei element "2 compr sing an upper knuckle part 3 and a'lowerpart 4 and between 585 which parts is disposed the'knuckle part 5 of the frontaiile ti', the three knuckle partsbe- V v qre isa 1 iedte thejyoke 2 the latter will 5 pivot abont the axis of the'knuckle pin 7.-

ineorpomtea in this steering knuckle as; sembly or unit is a stabilizer which directly 7 receives those forceswhich would :tend to I v create action of the wheel, or which might by reason of their Violentfcharactertemporarily remove the vehicle from the coil-f trolof thetdr iver," The stabilizer comprises 1 two re'lativ'elymovable'and cooperating parts one t flofwwhich directly connected tofthe' v 3 and the lower knuckle part l'fthe steeringzlmuckle pin in this view being indicated at The preferred form of stabilizer is of the fluid pressure type and embodies a chamber 8 and a vane piston or wing 9. or convenience and ease of manufacture the vane is carried directly by the knuckle pin 7, (7) while the piston chamber is carriedby one of the knuckle parts of the assembly, preferably the lower yoke knuckle part. 1 In its normal position the vane 9 has its free vertical edge in substantial fluid-tight contact with an abutment or boss 10 on the inner wall ofthe chamber, and together with the boss partitions the chamber 8 into a pair of compartments into which the vane is urged from its normal central position when the wheel is subjected to lateral forces. Such movement of the vane to one side or the other of its normal position will meet with resistance as offered by the compressed fluid in advance thereof. A small transfer orifice or passage 11 is providedto establish restricted communication between the compartments of the chamber 8 at theopposite sides of the vane. Consequently, lateral movement of the vane will be resisted by the fluid trapped in advance thereof, and the vane movement will be retarded, in accordance with the escape of the fluid through the transfer orifice 11 to the rear side of the vane. In the event that a heavy fluid, such as oil, is utilized in the chamber 8 it will be obvious that any sudden ]ars tending to effect a rapid relative movement between the vane 9 and the boss 10 will beefiectively resisted or retarded in accordance with the hydraulic law or princinlethat the pressure necessary to force fluid through a limited orifice will vary as the square of the velocity of flow, a slow movement of the vane or wing meeting with but littleresistance while a-quick, sudden movement, such: as 0c casioned by a shimmying action of the run-, ning wheel, would encounter a very much greater resistance.

After the vane 9-clears theboss 10 in its sidewise movement. the fluid trapped in advance of the vane will then have a free escape around the noseof the vane regardless of the transfer passage 11. Such position of the vane is illustrated in Fig. 7 where it will be noted that the fluid may readilykescape be,

tween the vane nose and the boss. To further facilitate the escape of the trapped liquid out side of certain limits of resisted movement ofthe vane, the ceiling of each compartment of the fluid chamber is recessed, as indicated at 12. thereby providing a central pad 13 with which the vane normally has substantially fluid-tight contact. Thus'as the vane moves from the boss 10 it will also have its upper side gradually move off the pad 13 so that the trapped fluid may readily escape not only around the free end of the vane but also over the topthereof. This construction also facilitates the machining operation necessary to provide asubstantially fluid-tight contact between the Ivane 9 and the roof or ceiling of the chamber 8. A closure plate 14; is-applied over the open side of the chamber 8 and may have a shouldered lit to give greaterseal against leakage; The nose or free .end of the vane may be provided with a removable face 15. if desired, to facilitate fitting the same.

The supply of fluid in the chamber 8 may be replenished as by means of one or more reservoirs. These reservoirs may be conveniently disposed in the upper side of the lower knuckle part 4, as indicated at 16, and communication is established between the reservoir 16 and the chamber 8, such 'asby means of check valves 17 closing upwardly, as illustrated in Fig. 5. These reservoirs may be closed by covers 18. A filling opening is provided for filling thereservoirs with the fluid or oil. In Fig. 1 the filling opening is provided in the knuckle pin axially thereof, as indicated at 19, atransverse passage 20 connecting the two reservoirs. The filling opening 19, whichtmay have its upper end connectible to a supply, may also serve in the added capacity of a lubricating passage for lubricating the-bearing contacts of the pin in-the yoke parts Sand 4, and to this end it has lateral ducts 19a and .196 leading to the bearing surfaces. Any, ofthe fluid which may escape upwardly along the knuckle pin .from the chamber 8 is intercepted by an annular groove or bleed passage 21 formed in the adjacent bushing 22, the groove being also connected to the transverse reservoir passage 20 (20). To insure of thorough ubrication the lateral duct 19?) is offset from the groove2l in Fig. 1,,although it may open thereinto, as noted. in Fig. 6. In Fig. 5 the filling opening 19 is provided in the wall dividing the two reservoirs, and. the transverse passage 20 is likewise formed in this wall.

In orderjto compensate for the difference in fluid viscosity at extreme temperatures I provide means for varying the size of the trans fer passage 11 through the boss 10. V This means is illustrated as comprising an impediment inthe preferred form of an adjust able metering-pin 23, backed by a spring 2t to automatically restrict the size of said orifice or passage As theafluid ficongeals or "thickens the ipinwill be elevated byfitheginv creasedpressure to admit agreater orlesser volume to flow-through the transfer passage. in.v order to accommodate; the changed; condig tions: The tension on the'rneterin'g pin spring" may be. varied if desired,1.as;bymeansiofia set screw 25 (Fig.2) which is conveniently; threaded in thefilling opening19 to servev also as a closure therefor. The rear'orinner end of the vane 9 is rounded oif concentricaL ly'with the axis of the knuckle pin and may find a fluid-tight bearing in a segmentalshaped wall or barrier 26. This fit may be provided for when boring through the yoke for the bushing 22, the inner end 'of thevane being curved on an are having the same radius as that of said bushing. In Figs, 6; and 7 I have illustrated a slightlymodified construction in which the check valves 17 are done away with. I'accomplish thisby having the communicating passage between the reservoir and the chamber 8* opening into the chamber throughthe pad-13 at a location to :be sealed by the vane 9 when in its normal, straight-courseposition. When. in this'position communicatlon between the chamber and reservoir will-be cut off, and

I when the vane uncovers the port 28 the fluid I will then be free to flow into the chamber 8 behind the vane 9 thereby replenishing'the supply of fluid in the'event that'anyhas escaped therefrom through leakage or otherwise.

' In the operation of the stabilizer, any-sud den or violent jarring of the running wheel, or any force tending to set up a shimmy aci tion therein, would be applied "directly to the stabilizer and dissipated therein,-the same being effectively resisted by the. sudden impact I of the vane 9 against the head of resisting fluid in advance thereof." The greater this impact is, the greater will be the resistance oifered byfthefluids and ls'ince there is no play or lost motion between the vane,9 and the running wheel the 'latterwill be held and will "move therewith, when the wheelcarrying spindle is directly connectedthereto to turn with the spindle; ,Sucha constrnc tion would be provided for, in the embodiment in} Fig. 2 wherein the yoke elementiisi carried by the frontaxle, whereas in the construction is such that the running wheel is carried by .theyoke element; and therefore the chamber 8 wouldjbe the moving element of the stabilizer while the" vane-9' will be held fixed. The'knuckle pin ,7. is, therefore, secured against rotation, as by means of keyv pins 27-. The-knuckle pin is usually formed separatelyffrom the inter-- mediate knuckle part, and the yoke element 7 v comprises? two knuckle parts in the modern make. of the motor vehicles.

.E-The -improved steeringknuckle assembly" embodyingthestabilizer feature is of simple- ;and durableconstruction, and may be easily i incorpiorate din the motor vehicle without pros duc1ng a fcumbersome structure.- r The "obj ec tionablegiforcesbeingp'pli'ed: directly. by ;the* V I wheelto themovable element of the stabilizer are quicklyv accommodated for and dissipated or. materially retarded without the interven tron? of v.any lost player motion. 5 The construction of'the stabilizer-is such that its-pres- :ence isnot appreciablyifeltlon the steering of the automobile." In fact, the gearing ratio"- in the steering gear isisuch that during the] initial steering; from a truly straight course the stabilizer Wlll ofi'er I10"&]JPIQCI.Lbl6 T6SlSt-.v

ance, and after the nose orfree outer endjo'f; the; vane ridesfoff the bosslO, what little resistance may have beenoffered by the stabilize'rj during the initial steering movementwill therofi- I a e I V 1 l The yoke bearings are maihtained'welllll- 1b'ricated'sinceany leakage fromthe fluid I. chamber will-be alongthe knuckle .pin'. Fur

the-rmore,the-outside sourceofsupply,through theaxial passage 19 will also lubricate the hearings as we'll as repl'enish the fluid in the reservoirs; Gbviously, the fluid flowing along he entirelyabsent' from theremaining portion "ism the knuckle-pinfrom the vanechamber will collect inthe groove 21'and return to the reservoir. 1 Any airjor other gascollectingin'the 5, v

avane chamber, when a. liquid is utilized as the *checkingfluid, will vent itself through i I I the adjacent checkvalve so as toalways main-- against. I What is claimed 1s: 5 3

1. A steering knuckle assembly for motor vehiclesembojdyinga yoke and a pivotally V connected cooperating knuckle, 'a flu1dUcha-m- Lber formed lII'OIlB of said elements, a vane tain a purely liquid head for the vanetoact 1 c i i I i .105

fixed to the other of said elements and operating in the-chamber," aboss withinthe 011m -ber 1aving.; normally a substantially fluict tightcontactxwiththe free endof thevane 1 nd coacti'ng therewith to divide the chamber J into, two compartments into which the v s maymove uponlateral movement in opposite -directionsto compress thefluid' in the chamber iiradvance of said vane, atransfe'r pajssage 1 establishing restricted communication betweenthe two compartments of the'icham a ber' at oppositesides of the fvane,iand apres sure respon'siveimp'edime'nt; blocking said either ofgsaidjchamber compartments it 12 A steering-knuckle assembly for motor vehicles embodying -cooperating I knuckle parts, a knucklepin 'pivotally connecting the passage and movable to an inoperativeposit1on to freersaid passage byactuation, of ffilllld under. i a. =predeterminje dpressure in knuckle parts, one of said parts having a fluid chamber, a vane carried by the knuckle pin and operatin 'in the chamber, a boss within the chamber naving normally a substantially fluid-tight contact with the free end of the vane, a transfer passage establishing restricted communication between the portions of the chamber at opposite sides of the vane, a reservoir in said chamber-embodying knuckle part, and a valved passage in each portion of the chamber establishing com munication between each of said portions and reservoir, said valved passages being individually closable by liquid pressure in the direction of the reservoir upon movement of said'vane on said boss.

3. A steering knuckle assembly for motor vehicles embodying cooperating knuckle parts, a knuckle pin pivotally connecting the knuckle parts, one of said parts having a fluid chamber, a vane carried by the knuckle pin and operating in the chamber, a boss Withknuckle part, and a valved passage in each portion of the chamber establishing communication between each of saidportions and reservoir, said valved passages being individually closable by liquid pressure in the direction of the reservoir upon movement of said vane on said boss, resilient compression means for retaining said impediment in the passage blocking position, and means for adjusting the compression of said resilient means.

l. In a steering knuckle assembly for motor vehicles embodying a yoke and a cooperating knuckle connected by a knuckle pin secured in said knuckle, the combination of a fluid chamber in the yoke having a central in= wardly extending boss, a vane on the knuckle pin mounted for movement in said chamber and having a hub portionin continuous fluidtight contact with a wall thereof and a tip portion in fluid-tight sliding contact'on said boss, said vane tip being movable out of contact with boss upon relative movement between the yoke and the knuckle, a transfer passage establishing restricted communication between portions of said chamber at opposite sides of said vane, a fluid reservoir,

a passage connecting said chamber to said reservoir, and means closing said passage when said vane tip is in engagement with said boss.

5. In a steeringknuckle assembly for motor position in the passage, said pin being movable by fluid pressure against said passage upon movement of said vane.

CUTHBERT E. nnnvns. 

